5 health lessons I wish every child was taught at school

Last year, the chairman of the British Fertility Society spoke out about the need to educate children as young as nine about their fertility, so they can plan for adulthood and make appropriate life choices. Often in clinic I find myself wishing the adults in front of me had been given better health education in their younger years. Here are the health lessons I wish children were taught at school:

1. Exercise is not just for the fast ones

Betsie Van Der MeerGetty Images

We all remember the days of PE lessons at school; the fast ones always chosen first, the slow ones left to the last pick. Physical education is an integral part of primary and secondary but the onus remains on sport rather than exercise. The sporty kids develop great skills and a love of exercise, but what happens to the rest?

Well, we know that attitudes to exercise are developed during childhood, and if it's not encouraged at school it is hard to then develop as an adulthood. Exercise should be taught as a health life lesson: something everyone does and can do, rather than simply competitive sports. All kids can be taught to run, cycle and swim proficiently (even if they come last) as well as learning about heart rates, cardiovascular exercise and the benefits of walking 30 minutes a day. Our kids are growing up in a very sedentary environment and encouraging movement from a young age will reap enormous benefits.

2. A bit of self care goes a long way

There's a stark lack of knowledge amongst many, but particularly young adults about what to do when they are sick. I don't mean really ill when you need medical advice or an ambulance, but the minor illnesses we all get throughout our lives. Flu, food poisoning, sprains, coughs, colds and sore throats are all ailments people should be treating themselves without the help of a doctor.

Teaching this knowledge in schools would create adults who are good at self-care, empowered and don't need to always rely on GPs. Fostering this type of health literacy is an important life-skill allowing people to manage busy lives and normal routines, without being floored by simple viruses. Learning about hydration, when to use which painkiller and the importance of rest for healing would also be hugely beneficial for over-burdened NHS.

3. There's no such thing as being 'mental'

massimo colomboGetty Images

All of us have mental health as well as physical health to think about. Having a mental health issue is no a more a sign of 'weakness' than breaking your arm. We need to encourage young people to think about mental health issues with no stigma and no judgment of themselves or others.

Many children at school will have parents suffering with depression, addiction, stress or grief and an open culture of discussion is crucial to support those children. We are seeing more and more anxiety in all ages, and children can learn how to deal with that from a very young age, even before it has become a problem. The importance of sleep, mindfulness and good relationships for mental health is not something schools should shy away from.

4. Prevention is better than cure

Whatever the health issue this is true. Either preventing them totally or picking up issues early is always going to be easier than trying to treat something, especially if it is picked up late. There is a lot of health prevention available in the UK, and kids should be taught about this from a young age as a tool to be proactive about their health.

Vaccinations, alcohol guidelines, sunsafe advice as well as screening tests such as smears are all part of the preventative public health available in this country. Of course some of the details of those may be too much for young children (even adults get squeamish about smears) but nurturing the idea of prevention through sunscreen or vaccinations, which even little ones are familiar with, fosters great health empowerment. We tend to be very reactive about our health in this country rather than proactive, only learning about a health issue when we experience it. Encouraging a more proactive approach from a young age can only improve an individual's wellbeing.

5. Healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated

Willam ShawGetty Images

Our children are growing up bombarded with messages about food, from food companies trying to sell them things to celebrities endorsing fads and brands. All of these messages are very powerful to young people and we have seen over the last two decades the impact it can have on their diets and health. The problem is that in amongst the vast swathes of information, there is very little bona fide good information about food and diets. Young people are not going to be listening to the latest Department of Health advice about fibre when a Vlogger is telling them what smoothies to make.

Schools can at least provide children with good solid information about nutritional components, nutrients such as vitamins and the biology of eating and nourishment. That way, when children do hear these food messages at least they have the knowledge to digest them properly and make informed decisions for their own wellbeing. This isn't about learning how to lose weight; more a fundamental understanding of the physiology of nutrition and its solid relationship with health.

Dr Ellie Cannon Dr Ellie Cannon is a young, dynamic GP working in an inner-city NHS practice in London.

NetDoctor, part of the Hearst UK wellbeing network
Netdoctor participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.